UTI and Menstrual Cycle: Is It Normal To Get Urine Infections During and After The Periods?

Urine infections are very common in women and the majority of the sufferers tend to experience them during, or just after the menstrual cycle. Often gynaecologists are asked by their patients whether there is a correlation between urinary tract infections and menstrual periods. The answer, theoretically, is no. However, there are several factors that can contribute to UTIs in relation to one’s monthly periods.

Let us study this correlation between periods and UTIs in detail.

“I keep getting UTI symptoms after every menstrual cycle”. What does it mean?

Ask any doctor the interrelation between periods and bladder infections and the answer you will probably hear is hormonal imbalance. Secondly, lack of hygiene during periods can also cause UTI during or after periods. Wiping back to front is a habit that can definitely lead to frequent UTIs in women.

Certain foods can also trigger UTI during or before one’s menstrual cycle. These include: caffeine rich food and drinks, refined flour and sugary items. Ancient Chinese herbalists usually attribute bladder infections during and after the periods to the patient’s diet. According to this science, what a woman eats directly contributes to the ‘phlegm’ in her body which then leads to imbalances that manifest themselves in the form of a UTI.

Another factor leading to UTIs in women immediately following the periods is sexual intercourse. Many women use the ‘safe period’ to have sex without fear of pregnancy. This can irritate the already sensitized urethra making it more susceptible to bacterial infections. Also, women using birth control diaphragms are more likely to increase their risk of bladder infection.

Tampons and sanitary pads used during menstrual cycle are other factors leading to bacterial and yeast (Candida) infections. Not changing the pad frequently or using the wrong products which are unable to absorb the flow of blood can also increase susceptibility to UTIs.

So, what can one do to prevent UTI during and after periods?

There are many preventive measures women can take to avoid UTI following the menstrual period.

Drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to empty the bladder completely. This will reduce chances of bacteria remaining in the bladder.

Drink cranberry juice or take cranberry supplements as advised by a doctor since these can prevent urinary infections.

Practice good hygiene during and after the periods. Use non scented wipes and tissue papers to clean the vagina and area around the anus. Always follow the ‘front to back’ wiping movement after a bowel movement. Avoid harsh feminine douches and products which increase one’s risk of UTIs.

Change sanitary pads and tampons frequently. Use the right products to handle blood flow experienced during the periods.

Use adequate lubrication during intercourse as, many times, inadequate lubrication can render the vagina susceptible to bacteria. Also urinate immediately following sexual intercourse to remove bacteria from the bladder.

UTI and menstruation has a hormonal connection. So, do talk to your OB/GYN and investigate the cause of frequent UTIs. If you are closer to menopause and frequently experiencing difficult periods as well as UTI just following that, you could be put on hormone replacement therapy to regulate such imbalance.

Many alternative therapies and treatments have given a ray of hope to women suffering from regular UTIs. These include Chinese remedies, Ayurveda, and Homeopathy. Some women have also tried D-mannose pills that are known to prevent Leaky Gut Syndrome which is associated with hormonal defects causing UTIs during periods.

Can UTIs delay menstrual period?

This is another common question asked in relation to UTI and menstruation. Many women tend to get their periods much later than expected owing to painful UTI symptoms. The reason again could be owing to hormonal disturbances. Also, the infection can lead to stress and interfere with the reproductive system’s normal functioning delaying the production of ova. If you are very late in getting your periods following UTI, check for pregnancy. Also, women in the pre menopausal years could experience delayed periods.

Is it a UTI or an IC?

Often, what one thinks is a UTI can actually be Interstitial Cystitis. IC affects nearly 10 million women all over the world. It is characterized by pain in the abdomen, as well as the urge to urinate frequently both of which are symptoms of urine infections. The main difference between UTI and Interstitial cystitis is that the urine culture in IC will be devoid of bacteria. Here are other symptoms of interstitial cystitis:

Spasmodic stomach pain, fever and the urge to urinate frequently during night and day.

Pressure and tenderness in bladder and around anus and vagina

Bloody urine

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms do make sure to see a doctor immediately. Also, women experiencing frequent UTIs just following their periods must rule out other serious underlying health issues or immune system disorders.

In my case,the pains in my lower abdomen comes in after about a week after my period. Urinating becomes so painful. But the pain eases away,mostly after two weeks,until after the next menstrual period. Is it the same cause?

this has happened to me more than once: before my period i get a uti or a yeast infection the doctor said its not a uti but no medicine for a yeast infection helps either and its not IC because I have constant burning with no discharge or itching. it is ruining my life i am stuck in bed for days and i have to cancel exciting plans i have tried everything please help

Has the doctor tested for Bacterial vaginosis? I commonly get bacterial vaginosis and it has the same intense painful burning that you might get with a UTI or a yeast infection. It is often accompanied by a fishy smell or strong odor (but not always). Bacterial vaginosis is very common and I’ve had to get a prescribed medication to deal with it. I’m also suffering from pain that occurs mid-cycle, and during my cycle, that hasn’t been able to be ascribed to common ailment like a UTI. I’m thinking it’s IC, but I have to get a referral to a specialist. Also see a gynecologist to talk about a hormone imbalance. Hormones affect the natural ph in and around the vagina and pH imbalances can lead to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis.

Ladies the only thing i have found works consistently for whatever i have.. UTI or CI is drinking Soda water… one cup will help you feel almost normal within an hour! Keep drinking for 2-3 days to completely flush out the bladder. Also whitens teeth in the process and completely natural… if you don’t have any on hand 1/4 tsp of baking soda in a glass of water is the same thing. Note that mineral water does not work as it is salt based not soda based. Hope this helps!

I get UTI’s one to two days before and after my period. I have found it to be a ph imbalance in my body. Things I have found to be helpful are staying away from sugar (Greek yogurt is supposed to be good for you, but I get utis immediately after eating it), plenty of water to flush your system, menstrual cups (instead of pads/tampons because it’s more sanitary) & acidophilus pills (which are actually live bacteria that’s good for your body). When I switched to the menstrual cup (which does require some practice I rately had problems. I just take the pills a few days prior to my period and towards the end of it and I’m usually fine. I have gone to the Dr before and they gave me antibiotics and creams and they never seemed to work. After research these things mentioned above seemed to help the most…I hope it helps others too.

And what if before 4 days of your menstrual period you got a simple UTI because theres no symptoms youve noticed but it said on the lab it has UTI. So i just want to know, is it normal to have a UTI before the menstrual period? Thank you.